Farmer's Day Out

Next date: Wednesday, 25 March 2026 | 09:30 AM to 05:00 PM

To support our local agribusinesses, Council is covering the costs for a limited number of tickets for local farmers, producers and growers.

If you would like to take up this opportunity, please email business@hepburn.vic.gov.au and provide your name, business name, email, location of business including postcode and the number of tickets requested (maximum two per business).

The inaugural Farmer’s Day Out has been created to deliver specialised development to the farmers of the Central Highlands and will be facilitated by Commerce Ballarat. Differing from field days, the event will provide farmers with a stacked line-up of tools to amplify and strengthen their business model.

The day will feature stimulating and inspiring keynote speakers, such as Simon Quilty, and a panel of innovative players in the agricultural industry, plus health checks, extensive networking, expert panels, and breakout workshops that dive into:

• Agri-tourism 

• Dodging potholes and building silos: Securing the future of your farm

• The business of farming – Knowing your figures 

• Calm the farm: Creating happy farm workplaces

• Gen AI in agriculture: Practical solutions for everyday tasks

Key objectives of this project include:

• Mental health, an overlooked yet critical aspect of any functional business and community

• Development, to adjust the way the business of farming is viewed

• Drought recovery, to support our farmers through an especially challenging period of drought and unpredictable weather.

• Community, to bring the inhabitants of the Central Highlands together to form greater understanding and unity between all industries

• Resilience, to seek healing from harsh weather, challenging policies, and natural disasters.

View the full program to see the day's activities (a third session will be announced soon).

This program/project is part of the Regional Drought Resilience Planning program which received funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the Victorian Government.

When

Location

Ballarat Showgrounds and Events Centre
6 Rose Hill Road
Mount Rowan Vic 3352